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The United States has issued a ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ alert for Chittagong Hill Tracts due to communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks.
Bangladesh has seen a remarkable rise in civil unrest and communal violence recently. (Reuters)
The United States has reissued its travel advisory to Bangladesh, warning travellers to reconsider going to the country due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism. The US has maintained a ‘Level 3: Reconsider Travel’ alert for the country.
However, the US Department of State has issued a ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ alert for Chittagong Hill Tracts due to communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks.
“Since summer 2024, civil unrest and violent clashes have largely subsided with the formation of the Interim Government. Occasional protests continue with potential for violent clashes,” the advisory read. “US citizens are reminded to avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones, since they could turn violent with little or no warning.”
The advisory also warned of risks of terrorist violence, including terrorist and other activity in Bangladesh. It warned US citizens of muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking in Bangladesh’s major cities.
US government employees working in Bangladesh have been prohibited from non-essential travel within Dhaka outside of the diplomatic enclave. They are also required to obtain special authorisation to travel outside of Dhaka.
“The US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Bangladesh, particularly outside of Dhaka, due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources,” said the Department of State.
Social unrest intensified in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League-led government in August 2024, after students protested against her controversial quota bill for government jobs. Islamist attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, has been on the rise, prompting concerns from neighbouring India as well as the US.
Shortly before the US presidential elections, current President Donald Trump condemned the “barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians and other minorities” by mobs in Bangladesh. He vowed to protect Hindu Americans and strengthen the relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India has time and again raised concerns about the atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, during his meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
Moreover, widespread anti-Israel protests erupted in Bangladesh last week as thousands of people gathered in Dhaka, condemning Israel’s Gaza military offensive and calling for a boycott of Israeli-affiliated products. The protests, which turned violent in some areas, targeted well-known international brands such as Bata, KFC, and Pizza Hut.
The angry crowds targeted businesses perceived to have ties with Israel, resulting in property damage and disruptions to daily life. Bottles of soft drinks perceived to be Israeli-affiliated were smashed in a KFC restaurant in Mirboxtula, and police had to be deployed in the area.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
